Pastor Tony Reynolds

Pastor Tony Reynolds was born June 28, 1957, in Webb City, Missouri and departed this life on June 2, 2022, at his home in Appleton City, Missouri, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 64 years, 11 months and 2 days.

He was the son of Carroll L. “Jake” and Rayma Louise (Spurlock) Reynolds.

The Reynolds family moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri in 1959 to make their home. Tony was a 1975 graduate of Pleasant Hill High School. After graduation, Tony went to work for the City of Pleasant Hill, where he worked for many years. Later, he worked as a heavy equipment operator and concrete finisher for TASCO Construction, then worked as a heavy equipment operator for GRADECO Construction. 

On August 27, 1983, Tony was united in marriage with Ruth Farmer in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Tony and Ruth made their home in Pleasant Hill until May 1, 2001, when Tony was called to be the minister of the First Christian Church of Appleton City, Missouri. The Reynolds family then moved to the Parsonage in Appleton City. Tony was still serving as the minister of the Appleton City First Christian Church at the time of his death. He not only ministered to his own congregation, but to anyone and everyone that needed him, whether they belonged to his congregation or not, and was loved and respected by all. One of the most important and personally gratifying occurrences of his ministry came on June 1, 2022, when, with assistance, he was able to sit on his bedside and baptize his son Richard.

Tony enjoyed music, whether it was singing, composing songs, or playing his guitar. He was called on many times over the years to sing at different functions as well as at church and funerals. He truly had the “voice of an angel”. Tony also was somewhat of a computer nerd and tech geek and was also a huge Star Trek fan.

Tony often spoke of wanting a 1971 Chevy Nova SS like he had when he was younger, so in August of 2020, during a family gathering, Tony was presented with a wrapped package, upon opening that package he found a poorly, put-together model of a 1971 Nova SS. He laughed and said he guess he had finally gotten what he wanted. But the surprise wasn’t over, he was told to turn the car over and on the underneath side of the car was a set of keys. Bewildered, he asked what the keys belonged to and about that time there was the rev of an engine and a blue 1971 Nova SS pulled up out front. He was speechless, and if you knew Tony, that didn’t happen often. His granddaughter, Lezlea and her husband, C. J. had found and purchased the car as a gift to him. To say he was beside himself with joy was an understatement, and he enjoyed many happy hours working on and restoring “his dream car.”

Tony was a devoted, loving, and hardworking husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He loved any occasion that brought his family together and gave him the opportunity to just be with them. Tony took his role of “Patriarch of the family” seriously and devoted his life to guiding, loving and being a role model for his children, grandchildren, their friends, and many others he came in contact with. He never hesitated or was embarrassed to say “I LOVE YOU” because he thought those three little words held so much meaning and importance and could impact someone’s life when they needed it the most.

Tony was a Timothy of the First Christian Church of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and member as well as pastor of the First Christian Church of Appleton City, Missouri. In 1988, Tony was a founding member and President of the Choir Lyres at the Pleasant Hill High School in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Rayma Reynolds; two brothers, David and Clark Reynolds and one sister, Becky Rainwater.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Reynolds of the home; one son, Richard Nading and wife Robin of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; three daughters, Angela Hand and husband David of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Nancy Laning and husband Cliff of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and Jami Hendrix and husband Ryan of Adrian, Missouri; four sisters, Sandy Reynolds and Deb of Carterville, Missouri, Beth Metoyer and husband Rod of Missouri City, Texas, Tommi Reynolds of Butler, Missouri, Jennifer Sharp and Robin of Kingsville, Missouri, and brother-by-choice, Brian Winkler and wife Cathy of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; 13 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

The family of Pastor Tony Reynolds will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the First Christian Church of Appleton City, 100 S. Chestnut Street, Appleton City, Missouri 64724. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon – 2:00p.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the First Christian Church of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, 519 Cedar Street, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080. Funeral Service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., at the First Christian Church of Pleasant Hill, with Pastor James Damon officiating. Casket Bearers will be Richard Nading, Lucas Hand, Dakota Hand, Quentin Hand, Rielly Danuser, Jaden Vannatta and Jacob Laning. Honorary Bearers will be David Hand, Ryan Hendrix, D. J. McConville and C. J. Hicks. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the First Christian Church of Appleton City General Fund.

Arrangements: Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, Missouri